Clothes hanger support



Dec. 21, 1965 H. E. BECKER 3,224,595

CLOTHES HANGER SUPPORT Filed June 29, 1964 JIYFZ. 1 24.2. 1 1G151 1 26.4. FIG-.5.

\l 17 9 INVENTOR Euro/dz: 7 3607%? ATTORNEY United States Patent C) 3,224,596 CLGTHES HANGER SUPPORT Harold E. Becker, Los Angeles, Calif, assignor of one-half to Richard S. Backlund, Los Angeles, Calif. Filed June 29, 1964, Ser. No. 379,754 Claims. (Cl. 211-113) This invention relates to a clothes hanger support and particularly pertains to the type of clothes hanger support comprising an elongate rod-like stem fitted with means whereby it may be suspended longitudinally and having a multiple of recesses spaced apart along the length thereof for receiving and supporting a plurality of conventional garment hangers.

Clothes hanger supports of the above recited type are characterized by a single dependent stem affording a support for a plurality of garments carried on individual hangers having detachable hooked engagement at intervals along the length of the stem, whereby a number of garments may be suspended in overlying relation to each other on the stem with each garment carried on an independent hanger which may be removed from its hooked engagement with the stem without necessarily removing superimposed garments.

Clothes hanger supports of this type heretofore on the market have been found objectionable because of protruding hooks carried on the dependent stem getting caught in overlying garments so as to interfere with their removal, and also have proven objectionable because in removing underlying garments, the hangers of overlying garments are sometime unintentionally detached from the stem, thus resulting in considerable inconvenience.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a multiple clothes hanger supports of the dependent type in which the above objectionable features are obviated.

Another object is to provide the recesses with a contour whereby desired dis-engagement of a garment hanger therefrom will be facilitated yet undesired or accidental disengagement of a garment hanger therefrom may be prevented.

Another object is to provide a clothes hanger support of the above character which will afford a mounting for the conventional garment hangers embodying a wire hook adapted to be positioned astride a support.

A further object is to provide a clothes hanger support of the type specified which can be made in one piece and thereby be economically produced,

With the foregoing objects in view together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention is carried into effect as hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of the multiple clothes hanger support:

FIG. 1 is a detail in side elevation of the upper portion of the hanger support as seen in the direction of the arrow 1 in FIG. 1:

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail in elevation of a fragmentary portion of the clothes hanger support shown in FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of the portion of the clothes hanger support shown in FIG. 2:

FIG. 4 is a detail in elevation of a modification of the structure shown in FIG 3:

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section and elevation as seen on the line 5-5 of FIG, 1

FIG. 6 is a view in front elevation of a fragmentary portion of the clothes hanger support, depicting the manner of suspending conventional wire garment hangers therefrom, with portions broken away:

3,224,596 Patented Dec. 211, 1965 FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross section and plan taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6:

FIG. 8 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6 illustrating the manner of connecting a garment hanger to the supoprting recesses on the multiple clothes hanger support and removing it therefrom and showing the manner in which accidental detachment of the garment hanger from the recesses is prevented:

FIG. 9 is a detail in section and elevation as seen on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8 in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the manner of effecting application and removal of the garment hanger to and from the supporting recesses of the clothes hanger support:

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail in vertical section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 3 depicting the manner of effecting detachment of a garment hanger from a supporting recess; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 10 depicting the manner in which accidental detachment of a garment hanger from engagement with a supporting recess is prevented.

Referring to the drawing more specifically A indicates generally the multiple clothes hanger support which embodies an elongate straight-rod-like stem B preferably of rectangular cross section. An arcuate terminal C is formed in continuation of one end of the stem B whereby the latter may be suspended vertically from an elevated horizontal rod 12 as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 1 The essential feature of the invention resides in the provision of a plurality of recesses D spaced apart longitudinally of the stem B preferably in staggered relation to each other on opposite sides of the stem. The recesses D each embody an elongate opening 14 of rectangular cross section extending longitudinally of the stem and opening on opposite sides thereof. A slot 15 extends transversely of the outer side wall 16 of each of the openings 14 intermediate the ends thereof which slot severes as a passageway through which the supporting wire hook 17 of a conventional garment hanger B may be passed laterally in and out of the opening 14 to effect mounting of the hanger in a recess D and its detachment therefrom. The slot 15 in connecting with the opening 14- intermediate its ends form upper and lower sockets h-g at the ends of the opening 14 as indicated in FIG. 2.

The slot 15 in being disposed intermediate the ends of the side wall 16 provides the latter with a lower end por tion a extending beneath the slot, and an upper end portion b extending above the slot, which end portions a-b have their inner faces co-planar and their outer faces flush with the surface of the stem it The end portion a constitutes an upstanding pin, while the upper end portion I) of the wall 16 provides a downwardly projecting pin for engaging the garment hanger hook 17 in event the latter be elevated and positioned in the socket It at the upper end portion of the opening 14, as will be later described.

Since the wire supporting hook 117 is arcuate it is desirable to contour the marginal walls of the slots 15 on an arc a shown in FIG. 3, with such walls spaced apart a distance such as to form the slots of a width approximating but greater than the diameter of the wire of which the hook i7 is formed, whereby the hook 17 may be passed through the slot only when its arcuate portion is presented side-ways to the slot, with the hook disposed vertically, and will be prevented from being passed through the slot when the hook i7 is out of its vertical or near vertical position, as will be later described.

The stem B has a width between its side margins many times greater than the diameter of the cylindrical wire of which the hook 17 is formed, being preferably substantially square in cross section as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 thereby providing the bottom of the socket h with a transverse surface of such width that when the hook 17 is seated therein the hook will be supported on widely spaced points of contact as shown in FIG. 9 which points frictionally resist swinging movement of the hangers E laterally of the support A and thus prevent objectionable free lateral swinging of the hangers on the support. Furthermore, this substantial width of the stem B enables the formation of the slots 15 longitudinally on an are as shown in FIG. 3, to accomplish the purpose set forth.

However, in some instances it may be desirable to extend the slot straight across the wall 16 as indicated at 15' in FIG. 4 in which event the slot 15' will have its marginal walls in parallel relation to each other and spaced apart to permit the passage therethrough of the wire hook 17 in either its vertical or horizontal position, or any position therebetween.

The marginal portion of the walls a bordering the slots 15-15' are beveled on their inner edges throughout the lengths thereof to provide inclined surfaces d extending between the slots 1515 and the socket g at the lower portions of the openings 14, whereby hooked engagement of the hook 17 with the walls a and their dis-engagement therefrom will be facilitated. The marginal portions of the wall b bordering the slots 15-15' are beveled on their inner edges throughout the lengths thereof to provide inclined surfaces e extending between the slots 15-15 and the sockets h at the upper portions of the openings 14, which surface 2 serves to prevent the hook 17 of the hanger C from being accidentaly dis-engaged from a recess D, as will be later described.

The opposed faces of the sides of the slots 14 are parallel, straight and flat throughout and are spaced apart a distance approximate but greater than the diameter of the wire forming the hook 17, whereby hooks 17 positioned in the slots 14 will be held so as to limit lateral swinging movement of the hangers E, relative to the stem B.

The recesses D are preferably arranged in staggered relation to each other on opposite side of the stem B to lessen interference of the hooks 17 of adjacent hangers, and the openings 14 of adjacent hooks D are offset on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the stem B to provide the stem with a continuous core leading from end to end thereof between the openings 14 thereby strengthening the stem.

The arcuate terminal C is preferably fiat on its underside as indicated at f in FIG. 5 whereby the terminal has wide surface contact with the rod 12 offering resistance to sliding of the supports along the rod and minimizing lateral twisting movement of the tem B thus stabilizing the suspended support A.

The multiple hanger support A is particularly adapted for use in suspending light garments such as shirts, waists, blouses, lingerie, brassieres, stocking and the like mounted on hanger E.

In the application and operation of the invention, any desired number of garment hangers E may be mounted on the stern B within its capacity, either before or after suspending the support A on the rod 12. In initially loading the support A the hangers E are usually applied to the recesses D on the stem B progressively upward from the lower end of the latter with adjacent hangers E and the garment thereon overlapping each other. However, when an empty recess is beneath a super-imposed garment, a hanger E may be applied to the empty recess by inserting it under the overlying garment and directing the hook 17 of the hanger E through the slot 15 of the empty recess into engagement with the latter. In so doing the superimposed garment and its hanger E are swung outwardly on the stem B with one hand while applying the hanger E and the garment thereon with the other hand.

In applying a hanger E to a recess D the hook 17 of the hanger E is inserted through the slot 15 sideways as before described, so as to enter the opening 14 and Come to rest on the bottom wall of the socket g where it is held in place by the lower portion a of the wall 16 as indicated in full lines in FIGS, 6 to 9 inclusive.

When the hangers E are suspended from adjacent recesses D on one side of the stem B the hangers E will overlap each other with the uppermost hanger overlying the lower hanger, as shown in FIG. 6.

Application of the hanger E to a recess D is readily accomplished by initially positioning the hook 17 of the hanger upright and sideways against the surface of the stem adjacent a slot 15 preferably above the slot, then sliding the hook downward along the stem under light pressure so that when the hook is advanced into register with the slot it will enter and pass through the slot from whence it will move downward over the inclined surface d into the socket g at lower portion of the opening 14 and into hooked engagement with the wall portion a of the recess D, as indicated in FIG. 10. As before stated this operation may be effected beneath an over-hanging garment.

In effecting disengagement of the hanger E from a recess D, such is accomplished by merely lifting the hanger E with the hooks 17 upright while exerting outward pressure on the hook so that when the hook is positioned opposite the slot 15 it will be instantly directed outwardly through the slot over the inclined surface d, as indicated in FIGS. 8 and 10, thus freeing the hanger E so that it may be removed from the hanger support A.

The above recited operation may be effected in removing a hanger E from beneath a super-imposed garment. However, in so doing it may happen that the hanger carrying the overlying garment may be accidently lifted so that the hook 17 thereof will move upwardly in the opening 14 and possibly be directed into the slot 15. In event this should occur, the hook 17 will be apt to be advanced against the inclined surface e on the inner edge of the upper margin of the slot 15, as indicated in full lines in FIG. 11, whereby, the hook 17 will be deflected into the socket h at the upper portion of the opening 14 and the wall b, as indicated in dotted lines in FIGS. 8 and 11.

On the upward thrust on the elevated hook 17 being relieved, it will usually drop back into its suspended position in the recess D as indicated in full lines in FIGS. 8 and 9, thus preventing accidental detachment of the super-imposed hanger. In so doing, in event the hook 17 should tend to enter the slot 15 and should drop onto the inclined surface d, the hook will be deflected by the latter into the lower portion of the recess D as indicated in FIG. 11.

I claim:

1. In a clothes hanger support, the combination of a stem having an elongate rectangular opening therein extending longitudinally thereof and having a transverse slot leading to said opening and a garment hanger having a wire hook adapted to pass sideways through said slot into and out of a seated position in said opening; said opening and said slot each having a width approximating but exceeding the diameter of the wire of said hook, said opening extending above and below said slot to provide sockets into which said hook may enter when inserted into said opening, and a wall extending above said slot having an inclined surface leading from said slot to said upper socket for deflecting said hook into said upper socket.

2. In a clothes hanger support, a stem having an elongate opening therein extending longitudinally thereof, said stem having a wall extending along said opening having a transverse slot leading to said opening, said stem having a socket in the opening beneath said slot, and a garment hanger having a wire hook adapted to be passed through said slot in and out of a seated position in said socket; said stem having a second socket in the opening leading upwardly from said slot, the walls forming the margins of said slot having their inner edges oppositely inclined relative to each other, and the margins of said slot and said wire hook being substantially of corresponding arcuate contour.

3. In a multiple clothes hanger support having an elongate stem provided with means whereby the stem may be suspended in a vertical dependent position; said stern having a plurality of elongate rectangular openings spaced apart longitudinally thereof, and having an elongate transverse slot leading to each of said openings intermediate the ends thereof providing opposed sockets at the ends of said openings and a garment hanger having a hook adapted to pass sideways through said slots in and out of the opening associated therewith, said hook being positionable in either of said sockets.

4. The structure called for in claim 3 in which said hook is arcuate and wherein said slots are arcuate and have longitudinal margins which slidably conform to said hook.

5. The structure called for in claim 3 in which said slots have opposed parallel longitudinal upper and lower margins the inner portions of which are inclined and lead to said opposed sockets.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 467,434 1/1892 Randall 24-130 986,014 3/1911 Krenzke 24130 2,164,949 7/1939 Schreiber 24-130 2,191,714 2/1940 Gustin 211-119 2,462,431 2/ 1949 Schneider 211-1 13 2,514,742 7/1950 Burger 211-113 2,791,335 5/1957 Leebow 21l113 FOREIGN PATENTS 253,681 11/ 1948 Switzerland.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

W. D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner. 

3. IN A MULTIPLE CLOTHES HANGER SUPPORT HAVING AN ELONGATE STEM PROVIDED WITH MEANS WHEREBY THE STEM MAY BE SUSPENDED IN A VERTICAL DEPENDENT POSITION; SAID STEM HAVING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE RECTANGULAR OPENINGS SPACED APART LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, AND HAVING AN ELONGATE TRANSVERSE SLOT LEADING TO EACH OF SAID OPENINGS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF PROVIDING OPPOSED SOCKETS AT THE ENDS OF SAID OPENINGS AND A GARMENT HANGER HAVING A HOOK ADAPTED TO PASS SIDEWAYS THROUGH SAID SLOTS IN AND OUT OF THE OPENING ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, SAID HOOK BEING POSITIONABLE IN EITHER OF SAID SOCKETS. 